WAMC: first time, low-average GPA, high experience hours

[jees]

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I am a current senior in Ohio applying to vet schools for the first time during this upcoming cycle! Specifically, I am hoping to practice shelter medicine. Truthfully, I really want to go to UF, but I’m afraid I’ll be cut right off the bat due to academics. I am just looking for some hope or preparedness about potential outcomes. I’ve heard rumors that they don’t rank and cut anymore, but I’m unsure.

Every experience is listed chronologically. I have simplified the names of the organizations and titles that I have had to remain somewhat anonymous.

The schools I've applied to are: Ohio State, University of Florida, Mississippi State, Louisiana State, and Colorado State

Cumulative GPA: 3.58
Science GPA: 3.42
Last 45: 3.99

Any degrees achieved: Currently a Biological Sciences major with a minor in Applied Nutrition and certificates in Diabetes, Global Health, and Strategic Leadership. I also have my Fear Free Shelter certification.

Veterinary Experience:
- 540 hours small/exotic - GP
- 150 hours shelter - spay-neuter clinic
- 600 hours shelter - large rural shelter
- 120 hours wildlife/avian - wildlife rehabilitation hospital
- 252 hours small/shelter - low-cost urgent care/GP
- 40 hours shelter - large urban shelter

Animal Experience:
- 460 hours shelter - local dog shelter
- 15 hours wildlife/avian - bird banding
- 342 hours small - service dog in training handler
- 270 hours shelter- foster & volunteer
- 74 hours shelter - founding enrichment program at shelter
- 279 hours large - goat farm employee
- 155 hours shelter - fostering
- 120 hours small - kennel technician

Extracurriculars:
- Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society - President for 2 years (current), PR chair, and member
- Shelter Dogs Club - President (current), Vice President, Secretary, Volunteer Training, and Member
- Academic Fraternity - President
- Pre-Vet Club - President (current), Service Chair, and member
- Sexual Violence Prevention Org - Founder and President (current)
- Shelter Cats Club - President (current), Secretary
- Department of Biological Sciences Ambassador
- College of Arts and Sciences Ambassador
- Presidential Ambassador (1 of 14 - highly selective)

Research Experience: (300+ hours)
- 240 hours - Conservation genomics lab, have developed my own independent project and have presented at 5 separate events (listed all of the awards on VMCAS which account for additional hours)
- 60 hours - digitizing x-ray images as a favor to another lab

Awards/scholarships:
- Alumni Relations Leaving a Legacy Award
- Outstanding Senior Award
- 1st Place Research Award
- 1st Place Tropical Disease Research Award
- 3rd Place Thesis Competition
- 3rd Place Research Award
- 15 misc scholarship awards

Employment:
- Small business owner (current)
- Freshman Seminar Instructor (current)
- Biology Supplemental Class Instructor (current)
- Student Advisor (current)
- Community Engagement Fellow (current)
- Tutor (current)
- Teaching Assistant for Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (current)
- 4 year job in high school

Volunteer:
- Childhood Cancer Fundraising Group
- Best Buddies
- Inclusive Playground Project
- Victims’ Rights Ambassador
- Elementary Music Tutor (high school)
- Autism Society (high school)

Other/Elaboration:
- In the shelter community, I started my county’s enrichment program and am the volunteer coordinator for my humane society’s spay neuter clinic. I also help with behavioral evaluations, behavioral modifications, and other behavioral concerns.
- I am a work study student with financial aid and a pell-grant
- I have coordinated lots of campus-wide community service projects through me fellowship with lots of different local nonprofits.
- I received 4 LOR: 2 from professors and 2 from vets
- I am currently the president of 5 clubs and have 7 jobs. I don’t know how to explain it rather than severe fomo lol
- I am currently gaining my Euthanasia by Injection (EBI) certificate but haven’t added it
- I have a couple of other experiences that are less than 20 hours and chose not to list them. I also added a handful, but not many, high school accomplishments and only listed the most relevant ones here.

My main concern is my GPA. It makes me feel uncompetitive. I didn’t use any explanation statements or anything. Any insight would be appreciated to calm my nerves. I can also elaborate on anything if you’d like. Insight on UF would be the most appreciated.

 

[pp9]

My main concern is my GPA. It makes me feel uncompetitive. I didn’t use any explanation statements or anything. Any insight would be appreciated to calm my nerves. I can also elaborate on anything if you’d like. Insight on UF would be the most appreciated.

These GPAs are reasonably competitive, especially when you consider your experience/other parts of your app. I wouldn't fret too much. See where your first cycle takes you and go from there. Your GPAs are in line with/above Ohio's stats.

You would not be immediately cut from consideration at UF because UF does not make an initial cut based on GPA (and if they did, you'd be above the typical minimum 2.5 or 3.0 I see at other schools). It says this right on their website.

Finally, don't sacrifice IS tuition just to go to the 'dream school.' It's not worth it.

 

[jees]

These GPAs are reasonably competitive, especially when you consider your experience/other parts of your app. I wouldn't fret too much. See where your first cycle takes you and go from there. Your GPAs are in line with/above Ohio's stats.

You would not be immediately cut from consideration at UF because UF does not make an initial cut based on GPA (and if they did, you'd be above the typical minimum 2.5 or 3.0 I see at other schools). It says this right on their website.

Finally, don't sacrifice IS tuition just to go to the 'dream school.' It's not worth it.

Thanks for this! Between UF and tOSU, it would cost about $15,000 more overall. So, it is certainly a difference but not an incredibly dramatic one.

 

[pp9]

Thanks for this! Between UF and tOSU, it would cost about $15,000 more overall. So, it is certainly a difference but not an incredibly dramatic one.

$15,000 does not sound like much now, but by the time you graduate, it's no longer $15,000. It gets even worse if you happened to switch gears and decide to pursue a specialty that requires internships/residency. We will always point this out on here 🙂